“This 1873 broadside offers a direct glimpse into 19th-century public communication, showcasing how essential information was conveyed through large, eye-catching printed sheets designed for immediate impact.”
This broadside, a large printed sheet meant for public display, confronts us with a stark visual message. Printed in 1873, it likely served as an advertisement or a public announcement, its bold typography and layout designed to capture immediate attention. The medium of paper, common for such ephemeral works, allowed for widespread distribution and impact in its time. While the specific content of this broadside is not detailed in its title, its very existence speaks to a period when printed matter was a primary means of mass communication, before the advent of more sophisticated media. The size of the sheet, nearly 17 by 22 inches, suggests it was intended to be easily legible from a distance, perhaps tacked to a wall or a post in a busy urban setting. This piece offers a tangible link to the daily information landscape of the late 19th century.
- Artist
- Isaac Broome
- Date
- 1873
- Medium
- Paper
- Location
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Dimensions
- 16 7/8 x 22 in. (42.9 x 55.9 cm)
- Collection
- The American Wing
- Culture
- American
- Credit line
- Gift of Barbara Goldberg, in memory of David J. Goldberg, 2005
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Observe the bold, varied typefaces used to emphasize different parts of the message.
Note the overall layout, designed for quick comprehension by passersby.
Consider the paper's texture and any signs of its original public display.
Imagine where this broadside might have been posted in 1873.
Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Broadside — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Isaac Broome
1836–1922 · United StatesCanadian-born sculptor who shaped America's Centennial with patriotic porcelain busts and decorative reliefs.
Further Works by Broome
Pastoral Vase
1871 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
George Washington
1873 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Catcher
1875 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Bust of Benjamin Franklin
1876 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Covered Sugar Bowl
1876 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Bracket
1877 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Tile
1884 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Bust of Cleopatra
1914 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
More works to explore
Beyond Broome: works from the same years.
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Cart with Red and White Ox
Vincent van Gogh · 1884 · Kröller-Müller Museum
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Chariot Race
Léon-Victor Dupré · 1876 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Paris Street; Rainy Day
Kawabata Gyokushō · 1877 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte — 1884
Okada Saburosuke · 1884 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
The Backgammon Players
Philip Webb · 1861 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1850s–1880s
After the Bullfight
Mary Cassatt · 1873 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
A Turn in the Road
Alfred Sisley · 1873 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
The Artist's House at Argenteuil
Claude Monet · 1873 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
The Dance Class
Edgar Degas · 1873 · National Gallery of Art
Same era · 1850s–1880s
An Alpine Scene
Gustave Courbet · 1874 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Boating
Édouard Manet · 1874 · Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Still Life with Apples and Pitcher
Camille Pissarro · 1872 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
